What do you think?
Rate this book
Bajo las estrellas
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fiction (2018)La aventura más dulce y divertida está a punto de empezar. Zorie y Lennon solían ser inseparables, pero desde hace un tiempo se han vuelto expertos en ignorarse. Cuando sus amigos los llevan engañados a acampar, la estratagema sale mal y de pronto los dos se encuentran atrapados en lo salvaje. Solos, lejos y sin hablarse. Sentimientos ocultos, secretos y heridas del pasado saldrán a la luz durante el peligroso viaje de regreso a la civilización, y los viejos amigos deberán volver a confiar el uno en el otro para salir ilesos y recomponer su corazón.
411 pages, Paperback
First published April 3, 2018
About the author
Jenn Bennett
24 books4,849 followersJenn Bennett is the author of over a dozen books for children and teens, including: ALEX, APPROXIMATELY; STARRY EYES; and GRUMBONES. She also writes romance and fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been Goodreads Choice Award nominees, and have been included on annual Best Book lists for both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. She lives in a haunted house near Birmingham with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.
Follow her on:
Twitter
Instagram
Follow her on:
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,710 reviews
April 24, 2022
DNF at 300 pages can’t recommended
June 27, 2018
Ugh, cuteness galore!
Features:
• A protagonist who’s super into planning everything!
• Has a Korean mother who’s a masseuse
• A lesbian couple for neighbours with a son that’s pretty much a genius (and that I’m in love with!)
• His mothers are so loving it makes me sick
• Oh and they own a sex toy shop. Casual shit.
• Banter galore
• Safe sex (which YA book preaches about this nowadays?!)
• Our main character goes camping, exploring the wilderness with her lover/best friend turned enemy
• Like I said, she loves planning things to the T!
• Naturally, everything goes to shits
This book was too cute! I adored the characters and the journey they undertook, where she ended up discovering herself and to take life as it is, and deal with whatever it may throw at you.
If you love your contemporaries, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Features:
• A protagonist who’s super into planning everything!
• Has a Korean mother who’s a masseuse
• A lesbian couple for neighbours with a son that’s pretty much a genius (and that I’m in love with!)
• His mothers are so loving it makes me sick
• Oh and they own a sex toy shop. Casual shit.
• Banter galore
• Safe sex (which YA book preaches about this nowadays?!)
• Our main character goes camping, exploring the wilderness with her lover/best friend turned enemy
• Like I said, she loves planning things to the T!
• Naturally, everything goes to shits
This book was too cute! I adored the characters and the journey they undertook, where she ended up discovering herself and to take life as it is, and deal with whatever it may throw at you.
If you love your contemporaries, I can’t recommend this book enough.
August 24, 2019
“A map of us. It's years in the making, and it's messy and convoluted, some of it even tragic. But I wouldn't change the route, because we walked it together, even when we were apart. And the best part about it is that it's unfinished. Uncertainty isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it can even be filled with extraordinary potential.”
Best YA Contemporary I’ve read all year? Yes. Best YA Contemporary I’ve read ever? Perhaps. From the beautiful romance, to the masterful different family dynamic depictions, to just having a story that made me smile on almost every page. Friends, this made my heart so very happy, and now I just want to read any and everything that Jenn Bennett has written and will write.
Basically, this is a story about two families, who live right next to each other, who also have places of business right next to each other. One family is two sapphic women and their son, who own a sex shop, unapologetically. And the other family owns some sort of health medical practice, where the father is embarrassed to be so close to a sex shop, while the mother and daughter do not care in the slightest. The families used to be close with one another, but a secret falling out has led to them not speaking at all. But, friends, I promise you, this is the best boy next door story I’ve read maybe ever.
➽ Zorie - Obsessed with all things astronomy, and even though she has been isolating herself from her old friends, when she gets the opportunity to go glamping with them, she takes it as an opportunity to shoot the stars and accepts. Zorie is also dealing with a probable secret that her father has been harboring, when she unexpectedly gets some of his mail.
➽ Lennon - Biracial, nerdy, and so very into hiking and camping. And because of a sudden unexpected turn of events, he is also going on the glamping trip, even though him and Zorie haven’t spoken as friends in a long while.
You all probably see where this is going, but what I didn’t see coming is them getting lost in the woods and becoming somewhat dependent on one another to survive. I for sure wouldn’t say this is a survival story, but there are some high risks that really kept me on the edge of my seat.
But obviously romance blooms and I couldn’t get enough of this story. I was honestly swooning, and the chemistry between these two characters was utter perfection while also being so damn believable. Also, this book was so sex positive! And I was completely living for it! Normalize healthy and consensual sex in YA, thank you! And thank you Jen Bennett, because she totally delivered in Starry Eyes.
I also want to touch upon Zorie’s relationship with her stepmother, because it was truly the best adoption relationship I’ve ever read in all my years. Joy was honestly the best side character; she’s Korean, she's kind, and she’s the mother of my dreams, honestly. No spoilers, but when she told Zorie that she was the reason…. I cried so hard. Blood will only ever just be blood, and blood has nothing to do with who you claim as your parent, and this book honestly is five stars alone because of Joy and Zorie’s relationship. Again, my heart is so very full.
Overall, this book really just brought me so much bliss. It touched upon so many hard-hitting topics, the relationship dynamics were so expertly done, the family (both blood and found) was beyond words perfect, and the romance still has me weak in the knees. Seriously, I know I made this joke 102 times on Booktube, but I want to buy a tent and a rainstorm with Park Jimin. Okay. Pick up this book. Love you all, bye.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Youtube | Twitch
Content and Trigger Warnings: Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), loss of a parents in the past, infidelity of a side character, talk of suicide, homophobia (always in a negative light), and grief depiction.
Buddy read with Amy, Jane & Madalyn! ❤
❤ I read this for The Reading Rush, 2019!
April 7, 2021
Zorie reluctantly goes "glamping" with a couple of her friends.
“What's that?"
"French press."
"For coffee? Real coffee? Not instant?"
"We're camping, Zorie, not living in a dystopian nightmare.”
It's kind of eye-rolling to her but it's the summer and her mom pretty much made her do it.
But when she gets to the glamp grounds, Zorrie realizes (to her horror) that Lennon was there.
“When I looked up at the stars, I saw us. You were the stars and I was the dark sky behind you”Lennon. Her best friend.
Lennon. The guy who she was secretly dating to see if their friendship would survive a relationship.
Lennon. The guy who she hasn't even talked to since last year's home coming.
When Zorie's friends get themselves kicked out of the glamp grounds, they decide to go real-camping.
Tensions run high and the group splits. And Zorie is left alone with Lennon. In the middle of the wilderness.
Will their relationship survive? Will they survive?
It's years in the making, and it's messy and convoluted, some of it even tragic. But I wouldn't change the route....Ehhh...this is one of those times that the actual book was pretty interesting and well-written. BUT something other than the quality of the book ruined it for me.
So, I like survival-style books. I love watching characters trek their way across the landscape and overcome various challenges.
And that part of the book worked pretty well for me. It was cool to see the terrain and learn about wilderness survival.
HOWEVER - the characters.
Ugh. I wanted to SHAKE them.
Zorie as the main character was so annoyingly vapid and quirky-cute (but in a forced way). Bleh.
She knew nothing about pop culture (in an unbelievable way - it was like she lived in a bubble in the middle of the ocean for the last 16 years).
She had a knack for asking the dumb questions and making assumption-leaps that had me tilting my head.
Essentially, every time she came on the page...which was every page cause she was a MC...it annoyed me.
Lennon was alright but he was spoiled by the sheer presence of Zorie.
Also, huge
Essentially, it definitely had good moments...just wasn't a hit for me.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
July 30, 2020
A quick, be it predictable, read about two star crossed teens. 🤩 This story is primarily set in the wilderness as they hike together. Zorie (dumb name 😖- sorry if it’s yours) has a total d-bag for a father. Lennon (awesome name ✌️- congrats if it’s yours) has two awesomely supportive moms. There’s some family drama and yeah- it was just kinda blah. 🥱 The best part of this book is the wilderness. 🌲🌲🌲
March 6, 2019
Without a DOUBT, jenn bennett has now earned herself a place in my top favourite contemporary authors to ever exist bc gosh damn THIS WOMAN CAN WRITE
- So, I’ve been hardcore slumping for a whiilllleeee and somehow this book saved my entire reading career, amazing
- 👏 enemies 👏 to 👏 lovers 👏 trope 👏 I 👏 am 👏 WEAK 👏
- I love love loveD THIS BOOK FROM THE START like not only is the writing sooooo easy to slide into but the plot and adventure and characters and conflict feels so REAL and genuine
- I found my one true love, lennon mackenzie, plz marry me
- My snarky, emo baby I love him sm
- THE BANTER IS WILD
- M A P S
- Even the mc was fantastic and relatable and actually smart without being annoying, I just have so much love in my heart for this book aaaaaaa
- The kids in the book GO ON A CAMPING ADVENTURE and it turning into a flaming disaster, you don’t wanna miss out
- Its. So. Bloody. Cute. I. Can’t. Even. Breathe.
- Also I just wanna talk about how much I LOVE the relationship zorie has with her step mom, theres none of that animosity or any sort of strained feelings but they genuinely love each other so much my heart is bursting
- GRANDMA ESTHER
- Its funny and entertaining and engaging and BASICALLY THE PERFECT SUMMER READ WHAT ARE YOU DOING GO READ IT
- Zorie’s dad tho, hes a walking trash bin ugh
- The only thing I can complain about is the fact that it ended too soon, I could have read this book forever
“Planning can't save you from everything. Change is inevitable and uncertainty is a given.”
November 15, 2019
this isnt my favourite book that jenn bennett has written and i know im in the minority with that opinion. i cant really put my finger on a specific reason why i didnt fall in love with this as easily as i did with her other stories, but there is a still a lot that i enjoyed about this.
↠ 3.5 stars
- the writing is as easy, breezy as it always is. the best books are ones where you begin and then look up 200 pages later and you have no idea how the time flew because its just so effortless to read.there is a lot going for this story, and although i still think her other books are better, i would definitely recommend this to any fan of YA contemporary.
- SO. MUCH. DIVERSITY.
- how approachable the topic of sex is brought up. i think this does a really great job at discussing the topic of sex in a very healthy and relatable manner for teens (the target audience).
- this is some summer time fun to get you through those pre-winter blues.
↠ 3.5 stars
June 29, 2019
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett was a fun, sweet contemporary YA/NA read.
Sometimes you just need a fun contemporary YA/NA (I say NA due to some sexual content) read to lighten things up. This book did just that for me. It was a perfect summer read - camping, hiking, stargazing and a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers plot between Zorie and Lennon. Throw in family strife stemming from secrets and parental infidelity and you have a story that was relatable and engrossing. Bennett's characters were very human and flawed.
I really enjoyed that Jenn Bennett focused on nontraditional families. Zorie's relationship with her stepmother Joy was wonderful. It was a relationship built on love, mutual respect and support. The scene where Joy reassures Zorie touched me. It was perfect.
"I am raising my own kid. You are mine. I didn't need to give birth to you to love you, sweet thing."
Admittedly, I'm kind of a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Especially when it involves the adorable boy/girl next door. What can I say - I'm a cheesy romantic at heart! Zorie & Lennon's love story was just that and it was adorable. Amidst all the teen angst, misunderstandings, secrets and camping mishaps you could just feel their chemistry. I was rooting for Lennon from page 20 when he first appeared in all his side swept spiky hair, anime loving, teen goth glory. He was so snarky, witty and sarcastic. Luckily, he was also good out in the wild which comes in handy when their so-called friends leave them stranded out in the wilderness without a car or a way of getting home after an argument. Zorie and Lennon's story was adorable to watch unfold. It wasn't surprising in the least - more like you know it's coming and you're simply looking forward to it finally happening.
"A map of us. It's years in the making, and it's messy and convoluted, some of it even tragic. But I wouldn't change the route, because we walked it together, even when we were apart. And the best part about it is that it's unfinished. Uncertainty isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it can even be filled with extraordinary potential."
Zorie's dad - I have no words for him. He was despicable. Thankfully Zorie was surrounded by a strong support network with her stepmom Joy, her grandparents (Joy's parents), Lennon and Lennon's moms (yes moms - they were a lesbian couple!) and her friend Avani. Once again I have to mention how much I loved the strong family bonds presented, especially as they weren't related by blood but by choice.
Sometimes you just need a fun contemporary YA/NA (I say NA due to some sexual content) read to lighten things up. This book did just that for me. It was a perfect summer read - camping, hiking, stargazing and a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers plot between Zorie and Lennon. Throw in family strife stemming from secrets and parental infidelity and you have a story that was relatable and engrossing. Bennett's characters were very human and flawed.
I really enjoyed that Jenn Bennett focused on nontraditional families. Zorie's relationship with her stepmother Joy was wonderful. It was a relationship built on love, mutual respect and support. The scene where Joy reassures Zorie touched me. It was perfect.
"I am raising my own kid. You are mine. I didn't need to give birth to you to love you, sweet thing."
Admittedly, I'm kind of a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Especially when it involves the adorable boy/girl next door. What can I say - I'm a cheesy romantic at heart! Zorie & Lennon's love story was just that and it was adorable. Amidst all the teen angst, misunderstandings, secrets and camping mishaps you could just feel their chemistry. I was rooting for Lennon from page 20 when he first appeared in all his side swept spiky hair, anime loving, teen goth glory. He was so snarky, witty and sarcastic. Luckily, he was also good out in the wild which comes in handy when their so-called friends leave them stranded out in the wilderness without a car or a way of getting home after an argument. Zorie and Lennon's story was adorable to watch unfold. It wasn't surprising in the least - more like you know it's coming and you're simply looking forward to it finally happening.
"A map of us. It's years in the making, and it's messy and convoluted, some of it even tragic. But I wouldn't change the route, because we walked it together, even when we were apart. And the best part about it is that it's unfinished. Uncertainty isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it can even be filled with extraordinary potential."
Zorie's dad - I have no words for him. He was despicable. Thankfully Zorie was surrounded by a strong support network with her stepmom Joy, her grandparents (Joy's parents), Lennon and Lennon's moms (yes moms - they were a lesbian couple!) and her friend Avani. Once again I have to mention how much I loved the strong family bonds presented, especially as they weren't related by blood but by choice.
August 17, 2018
4.5 stars!!!
This was such a fantastic read! Seriously, from start to finish, I adored it! The characters, the setting, the experience, I loved it so much! Starry Eyes is a modern day Romeo and Juliette telling without the sad ending and all the heart!
Zorie and Lennon were best friends. They were on their way to becoming more than that. Now, they don't even talk anymore. They avoid each other. Their families are sort of enemies and it makes things even more complicated. Both end up on a summer camping trip and Zorie has no idea Lennon is coming, but there he is. And she is stranded out in the wild with him. Forced to face each other and what happened to them, will Zorie and Lennon reconnect, or will things get a whole lot more complicated?
This was one of those books that kept me hooked from the start. I couldn't tell you which one of the main characters I loved more, I loved them both so much! Lennon was pretty perfect and Zorie was amazing as well. And the moms! The moms were great! There was a bit of angst, a lot of emotion, some humor, and all around this was just a wonderful read! Highly recommend!!
This was such a fantastic read! Seriously, from start to finish, I adored it! The characters, the setting, the experience, I loved it so much! Starry Eyes is a modern day Romeo and Juliette telling without the sad ending and all the heart!
Zorie and Lennon were best friends. They were on their way to becoming more than that. Now, they don't even talk anymore. They avoid each other. Their families are sort of enemies and it makes things even more complicated. Both end up on a summer camping trip and Zorie has no idea Lennon is coming, but there he is. And she is stranded out in the wild with him. Forced to face each other and what happened to them, will Zorie and Lennon reconnect, or will things get a whole lot more complicated?
This was one of those books that kept me hooked from the start. I couldn't tell you which one of the main characters I loved more, I loved them both so much! Lennon was pretty perfect and Zorie was amazing as well. And the moms! The moms were great! There was a bit of angst, a lot of emotion, some humor, and all around this was just a wonderful read! Highly recommend!!
September 15, 2020
You know i promised to myself that i wouldn't under any conditions rant about this book because if i didn't like this book then the joke would be on me. So no rant. Zero. Nada. But there are some problematic things in this book. Things that have been bottled up inside me and are going to burst one day (today). Things that are making me question why everyone gave it five stars.
Let's begin our analysis on this "shitshow".
1. Every character besides Zorie and Lennon is a 2D cutout. Reagan? Her best friend. yeah. She did something Zorie doesn't like. No probs. Zorie will scream at her and then forget (her bf i might remind !!) that she exists. Brett, Avani and Summer. No personalities. They are just there to provide drama and angst and then bye bye.
2. While i understand that they have been friends since they were foetuses but there is literally no concept of consent. I mean she looks into his room using a telescope. And then when he takes of his shirt she still keeps looking through her telescope. HONEY NO. And what about the time when they are literally fighting and she kisses him in the middle of an argument and doesn't stop/pull back/ask for CONSENT.
3. Zorie's dad is a homphobic, a liar with anger issues who assaults a minor, blackmails him and threatens him BUT these were thrown away like minor problems. Why tho? He is not actively called out for doing all these things because he is villainized in the last chapter for "cheating on his wife". He also calls Lennon's moms "dyke heathens". He manipulates his duaghter and he does oh so many shitty things but he is not called out for ONE !! SINGLE !! THING !!
4. Look i love "best friends enemies to lovers" trope. I even loved Lennon and Zorie up to a point but then "that" thing happened. Zorie wanted to have sex with Lennon .... in the middle of the forest ... so she lied to her mother and her teacher ... who thought she was dead ....
hoo boy !! HOO BOY!!
5. There is a line between things being gross and things being good. And then there is line which separates these two from the creepy side.
*chokes on vomit and dies* Bye bye Lennon.
Bye Bye Jenn Bennett.
Let's begin our analysis on this "shitshow".
1. Every character besides Zorie and Lennon is a 2D cutout. Reagan? Her best friend. yeah. She did something Zorie doesn't like. No probs. Zorie will scream at her and then forget (her bf i might remind !!) that she exists. Brett, Avani and Summer. No personalities. They are just there to provide drama and angst and then bye bye.
2. While i understand that they have been friends since they were foetuses but there is literally no concept of consent. I mean she looks into his room using a telescope. And then when he takes of his shirt she still keeps looking through her telescope. HONEY NO. And what about the time when they are literally fighting and she kisses him in the middle of an argument and doesn't stop/pull back/ask for CONSENT.
3. Zorie's dad is a homphobic, a liar with anger issues who assaults a minor, blackmails him and threatens him BUT these were thrown away like minor problems. Why tho? He is not actively called out for doing all these things because he is villainized in the last chapter for "cheating on his wife". He also calls Lennon's moms "dyke heathens". He manipulates his duaghter and he does oh so many shitty things but he is not called out for ONE !! SINGLE !! THING !!
4. Look i love "best friends enemies to lovers" trope. I even loved Lennon and Zorie up to a point but then "that" thing happened. Zorie wanted to have sex with Lennon .... in the middle of the forest ... so she lied to her mother and her teacher ... who thought she was dead ....
For the first time, it really hits me that if Lennon and I hadn't stayed in the sequoia grove that second night, no one would have worries that we were missing, and we may not have set off the chain of events that led to all of this.
The important thing is I don't have any regrets
hoo boy !! HOO BOY!!
5. There is a line between things being gross and things being good. And then there is line which separates these two from the creepy side.
"You wanted to kiss me when we were fourteen?"
"I wanted to do lots of things to you when we were fourteen. [..] By the time you kissed me, I'd built a Zorie vault of sexual fantasies bigger than Fort Knox."
*chokes on vomit and dies* Bye bye Lennon.
Bye Bye Jenn Bennett.
December 21, 2018
Wow, I liked this SO MUCH. Zorie and Lennon are my new favorites and I will not be told otherwise. Also, queer moms that own a sex shop. THIS WAS SO GREAT.
TW: cheating, death of a parent, depression, getting stranded
TW: cheating, death of a parent, depression, getting stranded
March 5, 2018
I’m a sucker for anything that hints at R+J or BFF to more, but to have both AND it comes with Jenn Bennett’s name attached to it? Yeah, I’m sold.
Love love love Zorie and Lennon. She’s addicted to planning and organization and loves the stars. He’s snarky and maybe a bit sullen and loves hiking. Together there’s a lot of history and hurt and feeeeeeeeelings between them and I absolutely loved reading them figure it all out. There are some others characters, but it quickly becomes the two of them and that’s when the magic happens.
Plot wise, it’s quite interesting because it’s a setting that I wouldn’t normally be interested {I’m much like Zorie in the beginning and believe the outdoors can be avoided}, but I was captivated at how the scenery was described. There is a fair share of drama, but it’s tempered with positive and present parents, sweet swoons, and kissing. Not to mention the fact that Zorie and Lennon talk talk talk and there are some very sex positive scenes.
Overall, I loved these characters and this story and basically want to read Jenn’s words forever.
**Huge thanks to Simon Pulse for providing the arc free of charge**
Love love love Zorie and Lennon. She’s addicted to planning and organization and loves the stars. He’s snarky and maybe a bit sullen and loves hiking. Together there’s a lot of history and hurt and feeeeeeeeelings between them and I absolutely loved reading them figure it all out. There are some others characters, but it quickly becomes the two of them and that’s when the magic happens.
Plot wise, it’s quite interesting because it’s a setting that I wouldn’t normally be interested {I’m much like Zorie in the beginning and believe the outdoors can be avoided}, but I was captivated at how the scenery was described. There is a fair share of drama, but it’s tempered with positive and present parents, sweet swoons, and kissing. Not to mention the fact that Zorie and Lennon talk talk talk and there are some very sex positive scenes.
Overall, I loved these characters and this story and basically want to read Jenn’s words forever.
**Huge thanks to Simon Pulse for providing the arc free of charge**
June 21, 2018
[Read in an annoyingly high pitched voice used in commercials]
Looking for a cute light read for summer?
Tired of all those cheesy plotless contemporaries?
Want to read more books with diverse characters?
Here you have Starry eyes, where the protagonist is into planning for every single little thing and has a Korean step mom who isn't evil. She has a lesbian couple as neighbours and they own a sex shop and they have an amazingly dark smart gorgeous son!
Not only this but you'll also find :
Friends to ennemis to friends to lovers trop!
Camping in the wilderness with the friend who turned into enemy and soon-will-be lover.
An overdose of cuteness.
Feels!!
[Cue]
NOW READ THE BOOK
I just love how i said RTC and wrote a pisspoor review now. Welcome to my world
~~~~~
This was so so SO CUTE!!! Loved the story, the characters AND THE DIVERSITY IM DYING
Looking for a cute light read for summer?
Tired of all those cheesy plotless contemporaries?
Want to read more books with diverse characters?
Here you have Starry eyes, where the protagonist is into planning for every single little thing and has a Korean step mom who isn't evil. She has a lesbian couple as neighbours and they own a sex shop and they have an amazingly dark smart gorgeous son!
Not only this but you'll also find :
Friends to ennemis to friends to lovers trop!
Camping in the wilderness with the friend who turned into enemy and soon-will-be lover.
An overdose of cuteness.
Feels!!
[Cue]
NOW READ THE BOOK
~~~~~
This was so so SO CUTE!!! Loved the story, the characters AND THE DIVERSITY IM DYING
December 12, 2023
first read: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⤿ it's official: a new comfort book just dropped !! 🔭⭐
second read: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⤿ taylor swift wrote willow for zorielennon nothing will change my mind 🙇
⤿ it's official: a new comfort book just dropped !! 🔭⭐
second read: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⤿ taylor swift wrote willow for zorielennon nothing will change my mind 🙇
April 10, 2018
4.5 stars
Books like this one are why I love reading contemporary YA and YA romance in particular. Compared to adult books, YA romance cannot rely on sexual tension as much, at least not to the same extent as adult romance can. The authors need to make you feel that giddy, tingly anticipation without lots of innuendo and sexy scenes. Not that adult romance can solely rely on that but a good dose of sexy does make things easier, I think. Giving you, as a reader, that feeling of falling in love, making you giddy and smiley with butterflies and everything, is truly a work of art. There are some authors who have such a knack for creating swoon worthy romance - one that makes your heart pound - and Bennett is surely one of them.
This was a very classic setup - best friends who tried at more at some point and imploded because of a misunderstanding which could’ve been dealt with if only the characters had freakin talked to each other. Throw in some family drama and a few not-so-honest friends and you have almost all the standard contemporary YA elements. So definitely nothing new or particularly special but the execution was just plain beautiful. ❤️
We have Zorie our MC, an obsessive planner, aspiring astrophysicist, a chic geek, as she calls herself, who’s maybe a little bit naive, but overall a really likable character. But the real star here was my sweet, sweet boy Lennon. From the moment he stepped on the page I was smitten. Quite dark, with a dry sense of humor, a soft spot for all things reptilian, a little emo, a little punk rock and just so freakin precious. I love the best friends to lovers trope and Zorie and Lennon were absolutely adorable together!
I also loved the camping aspects of the story, it reminded me of the time I spent hiking through US national parks myself and that particular magic that comes with sleeping under a starry sky far away from civilization.
I think I’ve read pretty much everything by Bennett and while her UF series wasn’t that big of a hit with me, I really loved all of her YA books. She has become what Kasie West and JLA have once been for me - a go-to author for swoony feel-good reads. Please keep up the good work, Mrs Bennett, and don’t disappoint me like the others did. Thank you.
Books like this one are why I love reading contemporary YA and YA romance in particular. Compared to adult books, YA romance cannot rely on sexual tension as much, at least not to the same extent as adult romance can. The authors need to make you feel that giddy, tingly anticipation without lots of innuendo and sexy scenes. Not that adult romance can solely rely on that but a good dose of sexy does make things easier, I think. Giving you, as a reader, that feeling of falling in love, making you giddy and smiley with butterflies and everything, is truly a work of art. There are some authors who have such a knack for creating swoon worthy romance - one that makes your heart pound - and Bennett is surely one of them.
This was a very classic setup - best friends who tried at more at some point and imploded because of a misunderstanding which could’ve been dealt with if only the characters had freakin talked to each other. Throw in some family drama and a few not-so-honest friends and you have almost all the standard contemporary YA elements. So definitely nothing new or particularly special but the execution was just plain beautiful. ❤️
We have Zorie our MC, an obsessive planner, aspiring astrophysicist, a chic geek, as she calls herself, who’s maybe a little bit naive, but overall a really likable character. But the real star here was my sweet, sweet boy Lennon. From the moment he stepped on the page I was smitten. Quite dark, with a dry sense of humor, a soft spot for all things reptilian, a little emo, a little punk rock and just so freakin precious. I love the best friends to lovers trope and Zorie and Lennon were absolutely adorable together!
I also loved the camping aspects of the story, it reminded me of the time I spent hiking through US national parks myself and that particular magic that comes with sleeping under a starry sky far away from civilization.
I think I’ve read pretty much everything by Bennett and while her UF series wasn’t that big of a hit with me, I really loved all of her YA books. She has become what Kasie West and JLA have once been for me - a go-to author for swoony feel-good reads. Please keep up the good work, Mrs Bennett, and don’t disappoint me like the others did. Thank you.
Read
September 15, 2021💫
𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙛𝙪𝙣... 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚞𝚗 𝚊𝚜 𝙖 𝙔𝘼 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚊𝚢. 𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙅𝙚𝙣𝙣 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚 (𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢), 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚟 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭, 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝚂𝚘, 𝙸 𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙣. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒 𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚜. 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙬/ 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝚜𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜'𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕, 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢. 𝚂𝚘𝙔𝙖𝙬𝙣. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚
”I like all my things to go right.”
“That’s not how the world works.”
“It’s how it should work,” I say. “I like plans that go smoothly. That’s the beauty I believe in. Nothing is better than when things go exactly how I expect.”
“I know that’s what you like,” he says, eyes squinting out the sun to peer down at me. “And there’s comfort in that, sure. But there’s comfort in knowing that when your plans fall apart, you can survive. That the worst thing imaginable can happen, but you can get through it. That’s why I like to read horror fiction. It’s not about the monsters. It’s about the hero surviving them and living to tell the tale.”
’Lennon is obsessed with reptiles, because of course. He has an entire wall of them in his room—snakes, lizards, and his only nonreptile pet, a tarantula. He works part-time at a Mission Street reptile store, where he can be creepy with other likeminded snake lovers.’
𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙛𝙪𝙣... 𝚆𝚎𝚕𝚕, 𝚊𝚜 𝚏𝚞𝚗 𝚊𝚜 𝙖 𝙔𝘼 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚠𝚊𝚢. 𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙅𝙚𝙣𝙣 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚 (𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚢), 𝚖𝚢 𝚏𝚊𝚟 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝘼𝙡𝙚𝙭, 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮. 𝚂𝚘, 𝙸 𝚊𝚍𝚘𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙣. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚒 𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚜. 𝘼𝙣𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐. 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚎𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙬/ 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝚜𝚘 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜'𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕, 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚋𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚋𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢. 𝚂𝚘𝙔𝙖𝙬𝙣. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚
December 18, 2019
Jenn Bennett has done it again! Alex, approximately is my fave and has a special place in my heart, but I must say that this book was just as good.
I notice that in all of Bennett's books, her main characters are not your conventional types with 'normal' hobbies. They're different. And I absolutely love that.
I think it was great that Zorie and Lennon already knew eachother and had a previous (kind of) relationship before. There was no meet cute in this book. I loved the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope. The development (or shall we say re-development) of their relationship was slow and filled with cute banter. It was heartbreaking to read about the memories Zorie remembers of what it used to be like between them.
Their connection was undeniable. And their regret for not being there for each other in the year they missed together was clear.
These characters are so special to me.
“We’re under the same starry sky,” I say.
“We always are.”
“Not together,” I argue.
“I think we’ve always been together, even when we were apart,”
The representation of family dynamics and fake/true friendships was wonderful. I really enjoyed the plot setting even though I am definitely not an outdoors person. This book made me want to go camping. I just need to find myself a Lennon.
I notice that in all of Bennett's books, her main characters are not your conventional types with 'normal' hobbies. They're different. And I absolutely love that.
I think it was great that Zorie and Lennon already knew eachother and had a previous (kind of) relationship before. There was no meet cute in this book. I loved the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope. The development (or shall we say re-development) of their relationship was slow and filled with cute banter. It was heartbreaking to read about the memories Zorie remembers of what it used to be like between them.
Their connection was undeniable. And their regret for not being there for each other in the year they missed together was clear.
These characters are so special to me.
“We’re under the same starry sky,” I say.
“We always are.”
“Not together,” I argue.
“I think we’ve always been together, even when we were apart,”
The representation of family dynamics and fake/true friendships was wonderful. I really enjoyed the plot setting even though I am definitely not an outdoors person. This book made me want to go camping. I just need to find myself a Lennon.
August 22, 2019
I loved this book for many reasons:
Lennon has two moms who own a sex shop and they are the coolest moms ever.
Zorie has a Korean step mom who is so amazing and their relationship is so pure and loving and wholesome, ahh!!!
Zorie and Lennon have an enemies to lovers relationship and did I mention how much I love that? Enemies to lovers trope>>>>> every other trope.
They go glamping and encounter bears and it’s terrifying but also kind of cool at the same time??
They encounter the wildlife and it was so fun to read about it (as a person who loves the outdoors!!)
Zorie and Lennon are sexy?? And I love them. And I love Zories passion for astronomy, it’s so admirable.
Overall, this was hella cute with lots of drama and I just really really loved it.
Lennon has two moms who own a sex shop and they are the coolest moms ever.
Zorie has a Korean step mom who is so amazing and their relationship is so pure and loving and wholesome, ahh!!!
Zorie and Lennon have an enemies to lovers relationship and did I mention how much I love that? Enemies to lovers trope>>>>> every other trope.
They go glamping and encounter bears and it’s terrifying but also kind of cool at the same time??
They encounter the wildlife and it was so fun to read about it (as a person who loves the outdoors!!)
Zorie and Lennon are sexy?? And I love them. And I love Zories passion for astronomy, it’s so admirable.
Overall, this was hella cute with lots of drama and I just really really loved it.
August 27, 2019
This was pretty mediocre, definitely a quick read though. Didn't really like the main character but she was bearable. A little too much horny & angsty teenager stuff for me but oh well, that was to be expected.
November 9, 2018
This is 100% a new favorite of mine<3
February 11, 2019
Cuuuuuute.
I had some annoyances here and there - as a parent I have some choice WORDS for Reagan - but overall I really enjoyed the friends-to-enemies-to-love thing it had going on. I could FEEL the longing from one of the characters. I also loved the survival element. This was my first Jenn Bennett book (just the first I could get ahold of) and I really enjoyed how she wrote the romantic chemistry so I'm looking forward to reading more by her!
tw: snakes, being lost in the wilderness, cheating parent, previous death of parent.
Audio review: Narration was good! Some of the side character voices were irritatingly shallow but honestly they fit the characters. Would recommend.
I had some annoyances here and there - as a parent I have some choice WORDS for Reagan - but overall I really enjoyed the friends-to-enemies-to-love thing it had going on. I could FEEL the longing from one of the characters. I also loved the survival element. This was my first Jenn Bennett book (just the first I could get ahold of) and I really enjoyed how she wrote the romantic chemistry so I'm looking forward to reading more by her!
tw: snakes, being lost in the wilderness, cheating parent, previous death of parent.
Audio review: Narration was good! Some of the side character voices were irritatingly shallow but honestly they fit the characters. Would recommend.
June 11, 2018
Another @j3nn_benn book that I love! Last year I read her book, Alex Approximately & adored it so I was so excited for #starryeyes and once again I adored it!
I don’t think I liked this one as much as Alex but I still really enjoyed it! Another perfect summer read as well!! This one has a camping and hiking aspect to it which I enjoyed but good lord I am not like that at all! I am not a camper at all but I loved reading Zorie’s & Lennon’s hiking journey!! ⛺️ 🔭
Overall would definitely recommend this especially for a summer read!
I don’t think I liked this one as much as Alex but I still really enjoyed it! Another perfect summer read as well!! This one has a camping and hiking aspect to it which I enjoyed but good lord I am not like that at all! I am not a camper at all but I loved reading Zorie’s & Lennon’s hiking journey!! ⛺️ 🔭
Overall would definitely recommend this especially for a summer read!
May 9, 2018
I enjoyed this so much!!
I loved the whole story, the kind of friends to enemies to lovers things was perfect
The characters and supporting characters were wonderful, and I loved the personal journeys that they all took
It was so well written, and tbh it made me want to go camping, and I am one of the least outdoorsy people ever haha
The setting and descriptions were so beautiful, and also it is so wonderful that there were maps, I absolutely loved that aspect!
I would 100% recommend this to read during summer if you love some cute contemporaries!
I loved the whole story, the kind of friends to enemies to lovers things was perfect
The characters and supporting characters were wonderful, and I loved the personal journeys that they all took
It was so well written, and tbh it made me want to go camping, and I am one of the least outdoorsy people ever haha
The setting and descriptions were so beautiful, and also it is so wonderful that there were maps, I absolutely loved that aspect!
I would 100% recommend this to read during summer if you love some cute contemporaries!
May 6, 2021
i liked this a bit more than Alex, Approximately. I hated almost every character besides Zorie, Lennon and Lennon’s moms. plus i feel like Reagan deserves her ass beat for leaving them out there and Zorie’s dad didn’t get what he deserved in the end, taking the high road is so boring, these characters gotta start exacting revenge!
August 2, 2018
RATING: solid 4/5
”When I looked up at the stars, I saw us. You were the stars and I was the dark sky behind you”
“Without dark sky you couldn’t see the stars”
“I knew I was useful” he says
“You’re essential”
This is the first Jenn Bennett book I’ve read but it definitely won’t be my last! I couldn’t put down this cute, lighthearted and very fun novel. So many awesome moments I could mention??
I found the plot very refreshing and unique in its own way. I’ve read about camps before but never about an actual camping trip (definitely not about one as long as this one) so I can’t really compare. The writing was descriptive enough so that I could picture the places but thankfully not too much or I would’ve been bored (I detest long descriptions, they are my pet peeve in books AND real life).
Both Zorie and Lennon learn very important lessons in this story. Zorie learns its okay to be spontaneous, while Lennon learns its important to fight for what you want. I have a soft spot for snarky, sarcastic characters, like Lennon, and for controlling, slightly obsessive characters like Zorie. Opposites do attract because damn...talk about chemistry!! They fit together so perfectly??
There are more characters obviously and hey, the parents are actually involved in the story!?? AND they’re likable (most of them anyways). The resolution of family conflicts is my favorite part in YA books. Romantic partners come and go but family is forever, even if you’re not blood related.
Definitely recommend it! I will be checking out Alex Approximately pretty soon :)
”When I looked up at the stars, I saw us. You were the stars and I was the dark sky behind you”
“Without dark sky you couldn’t see the stars”
“I knew I was useful” he says
“You’re essential”
This is the first Jenn Bennett book I’ve read but it definitely won’t be my last! I couldn’t put down this cute, lighthearted and very fun novel. So many awesome moments I could mention??
I found the plot very refreshing and unique in its own way. I’ve read about camps before but never about an actual camping trip (definitely not about one as long as this one) so I can’t really compare. The writing was descriptive enough so that I could picture the places but thankfully not too much or I would’ve been bored (I detest long descriptions, they are my pet peeve in books AND real life).
Both Zorie and Lennon learn very important lessons in this story. Zorie learns its okay to be spontaneous, while Lennon learns its important to fight for what you want. I have a soft spot for snarky, sarcastic characters, like Lennon, and for controlling, slightly obsessive characters like Zorie. Opposites do attract because damn...talk about chemistry!! They fit together so perfectly??
There are more characters obviously and hey, the parents are actually involved in the story!?? AND they’re likable (most of them anyways). The resolution of family conflicts is my favorite part in YA books. Romantic partners come and go but family is forever, even if you’re not blood related.
Definitely recommend it! I will be checking out Alex Approximately pretty soon :)
May 11, 2018
5/5 Stars
Best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon are stranded together after a camping trip that goes wrong. With no one but each other, they are forced to face their issues. With witty jabs and insults as they try to make it back to safety. Fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature, what could possibly go wrong?
This book was a spectacular adventure with cuteness, fun, romance and heartbreak.
I really enjoyed these characters they weren't the cliche YA characters which was so refreshing to read also YAY a POC love interest!!
I truly loved this book and could not put it down. It was so worth the read. I would definitely end up buying this book and reading it again.
This was my first time reading Jenn Bennett's work and I can’t wait to jump into more of it.
Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon are stranded together after a camping trip that goes wrong. With no one but each other, they are forced to face their issues. With witty jabs and insults as they try to make it back to safety. Fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature, what could possibly go wrong?
This book was a spectacular adventure with cuteness, fun, romance and heartbreak.
I really enjoyed these characters they weren't the cliche YA characters which was so refreshing to read also YAY a POC love interest!!
I truly loved this book and could not put it down. It was so worth the read. I would definitely end up buying this book and reading it again.
This was my first time reading Jenn Bennett's work and I can’t wait to jump into more of it.
Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for sending me an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2018
3.5*.
Cuteness overloaded.
Cuteness overloaded.
March 26, 2022
This is SO SO cute. Zorie, planner and list maker, is the daughter of a massage therapist and an acupuncturist (very interesting side story there) whose shop in the bay area is right next door to a recently opened sex toys shop. Lennon, son of the shop’s owners is a reptile lover and punk dresser, as well as outdoor enthusiast. He and Zorie were friends forever… almost more… then something happened, and now they aren’t speaking, carrying on the feud Zorie’s dad has with Lennon’s moms. (Phew! Backstory!)
Anyway, everyone goes camping, and Lennon and Zorie end up in the woods together, and fun times ensue. This one really works for me because of the cute chemistry between Lennon and Zorie.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Anyway, everyone goes camping, and Lennon and Zorie end up in the woods together, and fun times ensue. This one really works for me because of the cute chemistry between Lennon and Zorie.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Want to read
November 2, 2018I love camping so it doesn't matter if it is good or not, I am still reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,710 reviews